2008 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults

The 2008 Popular Paperbacks list, drawn from 189 official nominations, is presented annually at the ALA Midwinter Meeting.

“Teens love to read thematic lists. This year’s lists will be popular with a wide range of teen readers,” said J. Marin Younker, committee chair. “There is everything from the hot topic of sex to an update of the well-read PPYA sports list from 1999. Also added to the mix are titles about the many forms of family and books for the obsessed fantasy fan. Enjoy!”

What Makes a Family?

Does a family have to be blood or legally related? Can a tribe or a gang be a family? Fiction and nonfiction about all kinds of family. This list offers fiction and nonfiction titles about all kinds of families. Committee chair Dr. Allan O’Grady Cuseo says, “This list highlights a wide variety of family experiences.”

Magic in the Real World

What would life be like if magic really existed? The titles on this list explore our world, with a fantastical twist. “We usually think of fantasy as things that could never happen, especially not to people like us,” says Karen Brooks-Reese, committee chair. “Discover the magical worlds all around you with the books on this list.”

Anyone Can Play

Read fiction and nonfiction about all sorts of sports. Nancy Reich, committee chair, comments “These titles contain the action, teamwork and tough choices that make sports exciting for competitors and spectators.”